A success in his own write

BOOKSHOP worker Robert Williams dreamed of seeing his own name on the shelves as he scribbled away in his lunch break. Now the 30-year-old has landed a publishing contract after submitting his work for a national competition.

BOOKSHOP worker Robert Williams dreamed of seeing his own name on the shelves as he scribbled away in his lunch break.

Now the 30-year-old has landed a publishing contract after submitting his work for a national competition.

Robert, who works at Waterstone's in Manchester, spent his breaks working on a novel aimed at teenagers.

Luke And Jon tells of a young boy starting a new life with his toy-maker father, following the sudden death of his mother in a car crash.

The 10,000-word manuscript won the National Book Tokens' Not Yet Published competition and secured a publishing contract with Faber & Faber.

Robert, from Urmston, said: "When I started the first line just came to me straight away. Because I work full time I was writing in my lunchtime and when I got home. I didn't really show it to anyone to get feedback, which is why I was surprised to win. I had been working on it on and off for about a year.

Punctuation

"I got a friend, who is good with punctuation, to proof read it and he said it was good.

"Luke And Jon is my first attempt at writing a young adult fiction book but I don't think it will be the last. I have found the process captivating, fulfilling, frustrating and inspiring."

Competition judge and author Francis Spufford said: "It has been a pleasure to judge this unique prize to recognise the creativity of booksellers. Robert Williams' submission immediately caught the eye of all the judges.

"The work is original and exciting. Robert grabs the reader from the beginning and his thoughtful writing and strong voice is immediately perceived. We were unanimous in our decision."